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Google+ trends: Apple iPad Mini rumors, Gmail outage

Yet another wave of Apple iPad rumors have hit the web. This time they claim that Apple will release a smaller iPad called the iPad Mini.

The tablet is rumored to be launching during the third quarter of 2012 to “counter attack” the onslaught of Windows 8 tablets due to arrive on the market around the same time. The device is said to be priced from between $249 to $299.

Millions of Gmail users were unable to get to their messages for about an hour on Tuesday due to a disruption at Google's free web-based email service.

Google’s web-based mail service Gmail was down for a short time on Tuesday, affecting millions of users around the globe. G+’ers are writing that it’s “Good to see Gmail is back up” and linking to articles that explain how to access the service when it is down.

Photos of the space shuttle Discovery’s last flight are spreading across G+. Discovery flew over the Washington skyline mounted on top of a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on its final flight before being retired to America’s National Air and Space Museum.  

Plussers have started up the #ReleaseBruceWayne meme in response to claims that a user by the (real) name of Bruce Wayne -- a name most people associate with Batman’s secret identity -- was banned from G+ for trying to use what Google deemed to be a fake name. The meme has now grown beyond its initial cause and can be seen plastered on photos of Batman, cats and comics across the site.

If you thought you hadn’t seen enough cats for one day, the G+ #CutenessOverload trend will provide you with an ample helping of “squees.” There are also cute images of dogs, toddlers, kids, hedgehogs, and seals.

The top 5 most talked about topics on Google+ on April 18 at 7:30 AM GMT are:

  1. Apple

  2. #ReleaseBruceWayne

  3. Gmail

  4. Space Shuttle Discovery

  5. #CutenessOverload